Why Richard Levy thinks he's found a path forward for the West Heating Plant

Daniel J. Sernovitz
|
9/11/2017 |
Washington Business Journal

The vacant West Heating Plant in Georgetown
would be redeveloped under a "bolder" and "less literal" interpretation
into high-end, Four Seasons condos under new plans recently unveiled for
the World War II-era industrial property.

Under
the new plan, while the building's height and mass would stay the same,
its outward art deco appearance has been redesigned with a rusted-steel
look indicative of the works of artist and sculptor Richard Serra.
That vision, attempting to draw upon the building's unique steel I-beam
support structures, is based on the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, which
had supported the project in May but recommended Levy and his team draw
a clearer distinction between the parts of the building that would be
preserved and those that would be reconstructed.

"The
CFA endorsed David's scheme, but with a caveat. When you come back to
us, be bolder and less literal in your interpretation of the building.
Give less consideration to the old rather than the new," Levy said. "We
really feel like we have the best version of this, honoring the West
Heating Plant without being trapped by it."

The
team made its initial presentation to the advisory neighborhood
commission for Georgetown on Sept. 6 and is scheduled to present to the
CFA on Sept. 20.

Levy and his team acquired the former heating plant at 1051 29th St. NW for $19.5 million
in 2013 through an online auction conducted by the U.S. General
Services Administration. The team wants to redevelop the site with
between 60 and 70 for-sale, Four Seasons condos. The project is subject
to multiple oversight reviews, including from the federal CFA, the
District's Historic Preservation Review Board and Old Georgetown Board.